8 Reasons Why Runners Should Strength Train | Sacramento, CA

Every day I see a lot of people on what I like to call ‘team treadmill’ running their hearts out with the intention of burning a few calories, losing a few pounds and maybe looking a little better. Running alone however, is not the best or fastest method for losing weight – or much fun for that matter.

When we do ‘cardio’ we are improving cardiovascular strength and efficiency. Doing cardio alone – especially at a low intensity, is a very slow way to lose weight or improve overall fitness.

Runners who also utilize strength training are rewarded with a multitude of benefits that include looking, feeling and performing better on and off the treadmill and in or outside the gym. Here I’ve listed my top 8 reasons why runners should incorporate strength training into their routines:

1. DECREASE BODY FAT By building more muscle, you will burn more fat. Improving the ratio of lean muscle to body fat will improve your metabolic resting rate resulting in a body that burns more calories. This will make you lighter and faster.

2. BETTER BODY COMPOSITION Strength training can help to improve body composition. Proper programming can improve overall strength without building mass or becoming muscular. By reducing fat and increasing muscle you will both look and perform better.

3. GET FASTER Improving your overall strength will help you to improve both your average pace and top speed.

4. HAVE A BETTER FINAL KICK Strength training will help to increase the ratio of Type II “fast-twitch” muscle fibers to Type I “slow-twitch” fibers. Because Type II fibers are faster and more resistant to fatigue, the result will be a better final kick.

5. PREVENT INJURIES Proper programming will help improve posture and correct muscle imbalances resulting in a more structurally sound body that will perform better with greater efficiency while also reducing the possibility of injury.

6. STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE WITH TRADITIONAL LIFTS Strength training with traditional lifts such as the deadlift, squat, lunge, and pull-up will improve your core strength as well as help you to learn how to use your body. Multi-joint movements are the best for improving overall core strength as well as learning to transfer power throughout out the body.

7. CHALLENGE YOURSELF The gym is a great place to challenge yourself. People who challenge themselves in the gym are also more likely to challenge themselves in their daily life.

8. FUN Including strength training into your workout program is also a great way to change up your workouts and make going to the gym more enjoyable. It’s also very rewarding to see and feel yourself being able to do things you couldn’t do before.